Category: Women Power

I remember meeting Kim in ACT 101 summer program my first year at Bloomsburg University. There was something about Kim’s personality that I admire. I knew at that time she was going to do something great. Bloomsburg University set a foundation for students to be their best selves and prepared students to succeed post-graduation. Observing Kim’s success has been astonishing. I was honored that she took a moment to tell me about her program We DREAM. There are a lot of business ventures people can dedicate their time to in life. But it takes a special person to want to give back to the community and provide services to a younger generation and inspire them to have a better future.

I admire and appreciate what Kim is doing in her community. This amazing young lady is a Bloomsburg University Alumni and does not take her education for granted. This Philadephia native from West Oak Lane engages her time and energy in paving a path for students to know they too can be successful and that someone in the community cares about them. She is a school counselor for the Philadelphia school district and involves herself with students daily speaking life into their existence.

What inspired you to create We DREAM and how did you come up with the title?KA: We DREAM stands for We Do Realize Every Adolescent Matters. This name was given to me by a creative friend who felt I had what it would take to make We DREAM blossom.Continue reading “We DREAM – Kim Abney”

We live in a society where competition can be oh so unnecessary. For some woman, (not all) have a hard time crediting women when we see them doing well in the community. I must say I am the complete opposite and one of my goals for this website is to embrace women who want to do good for others. I pray my actions will be passed on to other ladies and generations to come.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve reached out to Tori Rose and learned about her incredible business Together Helping Each Other Overcome. As a young adult and a woman looking for places to network and finding opportunities to be a part of organizations, it can become challenging, especially when you work a 9-5. I think it’s even more challenging when you are not from the city you currently live in. I think you can be at a disadvantage because you don’t recall the girl from high school who makes changes in the community, or can’t recognize an activist that everyone knew about from undergrad.

Tori Rose The Connector host multiple events for people to meet and greet. In addition, she has an organization that helps people with their resumes, marketing, team building, and interviewing skills. Nowadays there are A LOT of competition when it comes to landing a job. It only helps to have someone coach you that has the skills to get you the job that you want to work for. Tori Rose is a Baltimore native and has the heart to help others obtain their goals. Take a moment and read about her amazing accomplishments and get information about networking events around the Baltimore Metro Area. Continue reading “Together Helping Each Other Overcome-Tori Rose”

I met Amy Bernier at a speaking engagement. She was the first person to talk and I was engaged from the moment she talked about her business. I knew after the event I had to have a conversation with her. She talked about her life story and why she decided to stop her teaching career in Massachusetts. Say Yes Coaching is all about putting yourself first. This is so critical to people who don’t look at themselves as a priority. Our mental health depends on us to say yes to ourselves. When we focus on things that cannot and will not help us progress in our lives it hinders us to perform growth. Be sure to read what Amy has to say and learn how she can help you work towards becoming your better self!

Also, take a moment to read about her story and check out a freebie at the end of the interview!

How did you get the name Say Yes Coaching?

AB: I used to be the kind of person that would say YES to EVERYONE. I was an Overachiever AND a People Pleaser. I helped people a lot because I was a good person and a hustler. My heart was huge, I was doing everything for everyone and I was working hard ALL. THE. TIME. What I would come to find, this is a DEADLY combination.

Can you give me a ride to the airport? YES. Can you help me move? YES. Can you pick me up at the bar? YES. Can you help me with my homework? YES. Want to be my partner in a fitness challenge? YES. (And on and on and on and on and on and on) I didn’t blanket say yes to everything per se…, however, if you were in trouble and needed help, support, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, you name it, I was there for YOU. I would contort myself my schedule and emotions to HELP. Continue reading “Say Yes to You! -Amy Bernier”

There are so many women making power movess in their career. I am thankful to have a platform where I can interview and talk about their services. It is always an honor to meet a woman who is business minded and accomplished quite a few goals during her career move. I had a chance to chat with Myra Dorsey about her firm MD HR Consulting as well as her book Benefit of the Doubt and her massage business LaBodi Massage. This is a woman is a jack of many trades. What I like about Myra is that she shows the ability to conquer her goals and she continues to strive to be better. Many people believe they
have to stick to one thing and master it. If there are other business ventures you want to get involved in then do it. Myra is the perfect example of living out her dreams. Take a moment and read this extraordinary interview about her many accomplishments. I guarantee you will be inspired!

How did you get into the consulting business?

MD: After working in corporate for over 15 years, I knew I had to work for myself because “reporting” to the man and not getting the proper recognition was no longer an option for me. That is when I decided to remove myself from corporate. Ironically, I didn’t go right into HR Consulting. I went to massage school and became a therapist and literally morphed that into a thriving a business. I have over 40 therapists on my team throughout the DMV area. I grew that business first and with my HR background, it made it easier for me to knock down some barriers that my competitors were not able to.

Carefirst is one of my largest corporate clients and that business is now taking a life of its own. It was not until 2 years after the massage business flourished that I realized I missed the HR aspect of my life and started to do freelance in consulting during my downtime from massage therapy. The small companies that I was doing small projects for really appreciated and liked my work so they demanded more of my time. Therefore, my freelancing became full-blown consulting where I now have others on my team helping me on current and future projects. Continue reading “Myra Dorsey – MD HR Consulting”

A woman can never have enough handbags. I am the kind of woman that likes to have a variety of handbags and switch it up every now and then. I had the honor to talk to the creator of Sha’Lari Couture, Shannon Richardson. She designs clutches, totes, purses, wristlets, diaper bags and so much more. During the interview, she discusses her brand and the joy of following her dreams. She is such an inspiration to women who have the desire to pursue their dreams in fashion, or in any kind of business. Getting into the handbag business can be tough, but Shannon made a brand and business out of it. She has customers all over American and in other countries around the world. Her leather and fabric handbags start at just $29 dollars. You can visit her website as well as her social media sites where she displays her work. Take a moment to read this amazing interview and get inspired!

What inspired you to create the handbags?S: Believe it or not, the story began over 20 years ago. It started with a collection of one-of-a-kind handbags followed by a “brief” stint of trying to sew a corduroy tote. The collection lasted, but the “sewing stint” did not. In September 2011, I had the opportunity to design, create, and sew a reversible tote while on vacation…and the rest is history.

How did you come up with the name?S: Believe it or not, the business started out as Nonnahsstyle (my name spelled backward; and the word “style”). I was talking with someone one day about designing a logo. It was suggested that I reconsider the name of my business and come up with a name that would represent me and my product. The end result, Sha’Lari Couture (my name Sha’-Shannon; my mother’s name La- Lavonne; and my last name Ri- Richardson; and the word “Couture”).

What was the first step you took when you realize you wanted to make this a business?S: Once I realized that I wanted to make this a business, I decided what I wanted to specialize in and registered my business name.

What inspired you to learn about fashion?S: Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to “grow up and make clothes”. I enjoyed going to the fabric store and looking through the catalogs. This was the beginning of “a little girl, a sketchbook, and a dream”. As I got older and the years past, my dream never wavered. Fashion was a part of me, I could not let it go nor did I want to.

How long does it take for you to create a product?S: From concept to design to finished product, each item is carefully handcrafted and can take anywhere from an hour up to a few days. It depends on the product and the complexity of the design.

Do you provide samples, and do you do showcases where people can come to meet you and try your products?S: I do participate in various events where people can meet me and see the products that Sha’Lari Couture has to offer. Continue reading “Handbags and More by Sha’Lari Couture”